Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister of 1

Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Indian side was led by HerExcellency Smt. Sushma Swaraj, Minister of External Affairs ofIndia. The composition of the delegations of Turkmenistan andIndia (hereinafter referred as Sides/ are at Annexes I & Il.

PROTOCOL OF THE SIXTH MEETING OF THE INDIA-TURXM ET{I STAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION ON

TRADE, ECONOMIC, SCIEI{TIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICALCOOPERATIOII

The Si-xth meeting of the India-Turkmenistan

reached a high level. The sides underlined that the basis of these

Intergovernmenta-l Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientihc andTechnological Cooperation (hereinafter referred to as theCommission) was held in New Delhi on 14 August 2017. TheTurkmen side was led by His Excellency Mr. Rashid Meredov,

openness both sides noted that during 25 years sinci theestablishment of diplomatic relations the cooperation and mutually_beneficial partnership between Turkmenistan and India had

The Commission reviewed developments in bilateral relationssince the hfth Commission meeting held in April 2015 in Ashgabat.Both sides noted with satisfaction that eight documents were s-ignedduring Honourable Prime Minster of tndia Narendra Modi,s visit toAshgabat on 11-12 July 2015. Both sides expressed satisfaction at:current state of cooperation between the two countries andunderlined the importance of continued engagement at variouslevels aimed at deepening and expanding mutually_beneficialcooperation.

. - The heads of delegations noting the high level of

implementation of decisions taken at privious meJtings of theCommission confirmed that the work of current meetiip of theCommission was aimed at fulfilment of agreements reache"d in thecourse of negotiations between the president of Turkmenistan andthe. Prime Minister of the Republic of India held on I 1- 12 July 20 l5in Ashgabat.

Within the framework of the meeting of the Commission thattook place- in the atmosphere of mutual understanding and

achievements is traditionally friendly ties between peoples of thetwo countries originating from the old times and also personalattention and close contacts of heads of the two states. Both sides

^ B9t! sides agreed upon on the agenda of the meeting of theCommission (Annex III).

Both sides noted that the previous five meetings of theCommission had reviewed achieved results artd identified ne\M areasof cooperation between Turkmenistan and India. The Commissionexpressed confidence that decisions taken in the sixth meeting ofthe Commission would result in further strengthening of bilateralcooperation.

- The Indian side expressed appreciation to the Turkmen sidefor organizing His Excellency Mi.- R.Meredov,s visit to India inDecember 2016 for participation in the Conference "Heart of Asia,.

The Commission noted with satisfaction the holding of ForeignOffice Consultations at the level of Deputy Foreign Minisiers in NewDelhi on 17 March 2Ot6.

, confirmed commitmentfu her strengtheningcooperation.

of Governments of the both countries toof relations of comprehensive friendly

to_ strengthen interpa-rliamentaryof Turkmenistan and parliament of

. Jhe _lurkmen side expressed gratitude to the Government ofthe Republic of India for organizin[ the visits to Turkmenistan ofVice-President of India tt.O.lraohinmad gamia ensari on feDecember 2015 for participation in celebration oi th" 2O,nanniversary- of _neutrality of Turkmenistan and ground_breaking:e-r:moly for laying the gas pipeline project ".Turkmenistan_Afghanistan-pakistan-India" ifapft ,rra MiisLr of St"t" for RoadTransport and Shipping of India Mr. pon Radhal<rishnal forpartrcrpation in the hrst Global Conference on SustainableTransport on 26-27 November 2016.

Both sides agreedcooperation between Mejlis

The Indian side extended its warm felicitations to theGovernment of Ttrrkmenistan for its significant achievements,especially in the last decade, under the'ieadership oi presidentGurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the re_election jf presiaent inthe elections held on February 12, 2017. Both sides agreed tofurther enhalce their bilateral

-exchanges at ttre pofitic"f level. Inthis context, the Indian side would *J"o-. ." i*ty "l"it .t tfr.

highest level from Turkmenistan to India on mutually convenientdates.

Both sides reviewed the following bilateral developments sincelhe last session of the Commission:

a) TAPI project - India reiterated the importance of TAPI notonly for meeting its energr requirements but also for establishingpeace in Afghanistan. The Indian side highly appreciated theinitiative of the President of Tllrkmenistan GurbangulyBerdimuhamedov in expediting the implementation of TAPI gaspipeline including the ground-breaking ceremony held in December2015.

The Indian side welcomed the decision of the Government ofTurkmenistan concerning the leading of ttre consortium by StateConcern "Tlirkmengaz" and noted that four member countries hadsigned the Share Holding Agreement. Both sides welcomed progresswith regard to implementation of contracts signed as a result ofconsultations, detailed route survey, engineering and design worksofTAPI pipeline project in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Both sides also noted the efficiency of the meetings betweenthe State Concern "Tr-irkmengaz'and the Ministry of Petroleum andNatural Gas of lndia regarding the "T\rkmenistal-Afghanistan-Pakistanlndia" project and noted the necessity of conductingmeetings on regular basis in order to consider organizational,financial, economic, technical and other issues related with theproject.

b) The Turkmen side invited guests, athletes and tourists fromIndia to take active participation in the forthcoming V Asian Indoorand Martial Arts Garnes to be conducted in Ashgabat during 17 to27 September 2077 .

The Indian side conveyed that it would be represented at anappropriate level at the opening ceremony ofthe V Asian Indoor andMartial Arts Games scheduled to be held on 17.h September 2017ald wished success to the Turkmen side in holding this importantevent. The Indian side a.1so mentioned that an Indian delegationvisited T[rkmenistan and offered its assistance in holding theg€unes as per the provisions of the Agreement between the StateCommittee for Sports of T\rrkmenistan and the Ministry of Youth

Affairs and Sports of the Republic of India on cooperation in theIierC of sports.

Both sides agreed to establish direct contacts and strengthencooperation between National Olympic Committees, sportorganizations and national federations of the two countries.

c) The Indian side congratulated Turkmenistan on itsassumption of the chairma:nship at the Conference on Energ/Charter. The Ttrrkmen side noting the importance of cooperation inthe field of energz invited the Indian side to participate in theConference on Enerry Charter to be held in eshgabat on 27 _29November 2017. The Indian side appreciated tht invitation andconveyed it would respond through diplomatic channels about itsparticipation.

- d) The Indian side agreed to participate at an appropriate levelat the seventh Regional Conference on Economic -ooperation onAfghanistan scheduled to be held on 14-15 November 2Ol7 inAshgabat.

e) The Turkmen side expressed its gratitude on Indiatassistance for the up-gradation of T\rrkmen-lndia IndustrialTraining Centie, for which Memorandum of mutual understandingbetween the Government of Turkmenistan and the Govemment ofthe Republic of India for improvement and modernization of theTurkmen-Indian training and industrial centre in Ashgabat,Turkmenistan, was signed during the 5,r, meeting of theCommission. Both sides expressed satisfaction on the successfulcompletion of the phase I, as a result of which a space had beenallocated at the Turkmen State Institute of ArJhitecture andConstruction for the mentioned Centre. The Indian side reiteratedits commitment for implementation of phase II of the project. TheTurkmen side noted that the state of art equipment suppliid underthe programme was benehcial to train engineering students.

f) .Capacity building: The Turkmen side expressed itsappreciation for the training opportunities provided io Turkmenstudents under the Indian Technical and EconomicCooperationprograrnme and the scholar-ships offered by the IndianCouncil for Cultural Relationship and under Cultural ExchangeProgramme. The Indian side underlined its continuing commitrnentto support the efforts of the Turkmen sid.e in capacity_buildingmeasures in various sectors.

4

)ilateral trade, it is way below potential and agreed to undertakeoint efforts for enhancement and diversification of trade.Towardshis end, the sides decided to set up Joint Business Council.

Commission welcomed that the two sides have since agreed ondraft of the Protocol amending the Convention betwien the

iovernment of Turkmenistan and the Government of the Republicf India for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention ofscal evasion with respect to taxes on income ana capltal signed on5'h February 1997 and underlined their desire to ionclude it an

r:?w'ilry

I. Trade & Economic CooperationBoth sides noted that while there had been a modest rise in

arly date.

lated crimes.

Both sides agreed to commenceement between the Government of

vernment of the Republic of India onrotection of investments.

cts and also indigenous sheep wool from Turkmenistan.

. Both ^sides

agreed to expand cooperation in hnancial spherecluding for development of frnancial markets and insurance andointly work on a draJt Memorandum of Understanding between the

Y1T",y,d li"=ce of-Turkmenistan and the FinanciXl Intelligencenit of the Republic of India concerning cooperation in excharige ofrtelligence related to money laundering, tirrorism financing-and

negotiations on draftTurkmenistan and themutual promotion and

The.Indian, side agreed to consider possibility of purchasingquality Turkmen textile goods, handmade carpets and carpet

Both sides agreed to strengthen bilateral trade and economicooperation including through joint ventures and joint projects.

Th9 Turkmen side appreciated active participation of Indiancompanies in exhibitions held in Turkmenistan.

Both sides agreed to assist business circles of the twocountries in participation in exhibitions, fairs, forums andconferences held on the territories of thef states.

_ . The .Turkmen side proposed to hold Ind.ia specihc exhibition inTurkmenistan; the Indian side appreciated and welcomed theproposal.

a

Agriculture:Both sides underlined the importance of cooperation in the

sphere of agriculture and agreed to interact, exchange informationand experience in the following fields from agriculture:

Turkmenistan in organising the Global Conference on SustainableTransport in November 2016 under the auspices of the UN.

The Turkmen side informed of its consent to the Indiaproposal for Turkmenistan to participate in INSTC (lnternationalNorth -South Transport Corridor).

The Trrrkmen side noted Indian strength in the field ofnaceuticals and supply of quality pharmaceutical products. It

preciated the participation of Indian pharmaceuticaf companiesthe exhibition "Health-2Ot7" ineld on 20-22 July 2Ot7 .

Pharmaceuticals:

the Republic of Uzbekistan (Ashgabat Agreement) during the visit ofPrime Minister of India to Turkmenistan in July 2015. The

en side in their capacity as the depository state agreed to puton expediting India's accession to this Agreement.

state of art technologies and advanced methods of practicingagriculture and cultivation;development of cooperation between scientifrc & researchinstitutes and scientific centres of the two countries in the field ofagriculture;phytosanitary and vetednar5i control of agricultural production aswell as safet5r and diagnostics of food products of vegetable andanimal origin;diagnostics, prophylactics and treatment of animal and poultrydiseases;

integrated eco-friendly biological pest management, disease andweed control.

II. Transport and CommunieationsThe Indian side thanked the Turkmen side for the invitation tothe Agreement on the Establishment of an International

and Transit Corridor between the Govemments of theRepublic of Iran, the Sultanate of Oman, Turkmenistan and

The Indian side appreciated the efforts of the Government of

. The Indian side informed about the Chabahar port project inIran that would help to provide connectivity through Afghanistan toCentral Asia. Turkmen side agreed that Chabahar port is a main-.lement for providing connectivit5r in the region and supportedIndia's initiative in this regard.

Both sides consider that the potential of direct flight:onnectivity between the two countries could be better utilised for

Turkmenistan and from Turkmenistan to India, arrd agreed toconsider possibility to facilitate air cargo.

III. Oil and Gas and Chemical SectorsThe Indian side appreciated the efforts made by president of

holding the next Steering Committee meeting on "Turkmenistan_Afghanistan-Pakistan-lndia" in New Delhi.

Commission recommended to the State Concern"Tirkmengaz"and oil & gas companies of India to explore possibilityof procurement of liquefred gas, currently produced by the StateConcern 'Tfrrkmengaz',as well as sulfur obtained as a result ofprocessing of natural gas and gas chemical products (polyethylene,

purpose of export promotion of products, such as fresh/vegetables and readymade food items from India to

stan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov for expeditioustation of the TAPI gas pipeline project. Both sides noted

the ground-breaking ceremony for laying of the pipelineized on 13'h December 2015 was indicator for progress in the

Commission reiterated that gas pipeline "Turkmenistan-stan-Pal<istan-lndia" is an important long-term energTproviding vital political and socio-economic beneht for the

member countries and for entire region. In this connection, bothsides noted importance of completion of construction of gas pipeline

the time frame.

I2018.

goth sides took noteof the Memorandum of Und.erstand.ingisigned on Supply of Chemical Products between the State Concern"Turkmenhimiya" and the "Indian public Sector Undertaking"Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilzers Limited (RCF)" signed duringthe visit of the Prime Minister of India to Ashgabat in July 2O15.,Both sides agreed to continue consultations to take this forward.

The Indian side reiterated its offer to organize and conducttraining courses for experts and technical personnel of oil & gassector of Turkmenistan in institutions run by ONGC and GAIL ;d,in this regard requested concrete proposals from the T\rkmen side.

I a" regards the joint venture for production of urea, the Indianside requested for a model of joint venture acceptable torTurkmenistan. The Ttrrkmen side agreed to send an appropriatemodel to Indian parlners shor y.

fpropytene and others), which planned to be marufactured from

postalof 25th

ry. Cultural and Humanitarian CooperaHonBoth sides underlined the successful conduct of several events

in cultural and humanitarian sphere of the two countries from April2015 to August 2017 both in Turkmenistan and India.

Both sides commended the holding of Cultural Week of Indiain Ashgabat in May 2077 on the occasion of the 25rh anniversarJz ofestablishment of diplomatic relations between Turkmenistan andIndia. The celebrations included exhibition of Indian textile"Vastram", concert of group "Dance Era" from Boll)"wood, screeningof Indian films as well as Indian Food Festival.

The Commission agreed to recommend to theirauthorities release of a joint postal stamp on the occasionanniversar5z of establishment of diplomatic relations.

Both sides noted with satisfaction screening of Indian fi1ms onregular basis in various cities of Turkmenistan and underlined theneed for continuation of aranging such functions.

Both sides welcomed readiness to sign a draft of Memorandumof Understanding between the Youth Organisation of Turkmenistannamed after Magtymguly and the Ministry of Youth Affairs andSports of the Republic of India on cooperation in the field of youthdevelopment.

- lBoth sides welcomed. that the draft of Memorandum of

Understanding for cooperation on Broadcasting between StateCommittee of Turkmenistan for Television, Radio Broadcasting &Cinematography and Prasar Bharti, New Delhi, India was agriedupon and was ready for signature.

Commission highly appreciated the support extended by theGovernment of T\rrkmenistan to the Yoga & Traditional MedicineCentre inaugurated during the visit of the Prime Minister of India toAshgabat in July 2015, noting that the centre is receiving everlarger number of visitors every year. The Indian side also thankedthe Government of Turkmenistan for their assistance in organisingthe International Day ofYoga on 18th June 2017.

The Indian side informed the T\rrkmen side that deployment ofan Ayurveda expert to Ashgabat would assist successful functioningof the Yoga and Traditional Medicine Centre.

Both sides agreed to consider a bilatera_l Youth ExchangeProgramme for a period of 10- 12 days annua-lly with theparticipation of 20 youth for closer acquaintance with culture,values and heritage of the two countries.

Both sides agreed that they would make arr effort tostrengthen bilateral cooperation in the held of culture, including byholding cultural days alternately in both countries.

V.Cooperation in the field of lnformatlon technologyThe Turkmen side informed about the expanding use of

automation equipment of services in banking sphere inTurkmenistan and for serving flight passengers. India offered toshare its knowledge and experience in this field.

The Thrkmen side, while expressing its appreciation for theestablishment of India-T\:rkmen Information Technolory Centre atthe Turkmen State University named after Magtyrnguly, requestedfor two IT teachers for T\rrkmen students for at least oneyear. The Indian side agreed to explore the possibility of providingteachers.

Vl.Chancery BuildingsBoth sides shared updates on process of allotment of land for

building of the Embassies and agreed to exchange the terms andconditions in order to prepare its proposals.

9

cooperation in the field of science and technolog,r.With a view to discussing issues on the development of

cooperation in above mentioned areas and the development ofspecihc agreed activities, under the Programme of Cooperation inscience and technologr between the Govemment of Turkmenistanand the Government of the Republic of India for the period of 2015-2017, signed on 11,h July 2015 the parties consider it is advisableto send a delegation of T\rrkmen scientists to India in November_December 2017.

In recognition of the archaeological findings by Turkmenistanin Altlm-Depe, that has revealed contacts belween the cities ofIndus Valley civilization and the Bronze Age settlements in theSouth of T\rrkmenistan, the Commission recommended to study thepossibility of organizing mutual visits to further explore thesehistoric linkages.

VIII. Human Resources DevelopmentCommission welcomed signing of the Memorandum of

Understanding between the Institute of International Relations ofthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thrkmenistan and the ForeignService Institute of the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republicof lndia on 11th July 2015.

Both sides emphasized the importance of training offered tocitizens of T\rrkmenistan under Indian Technica-1 & EconomicCooperation Programme and scholarships of Indian Council forCultural Relationship.

. The- Turkmen side expressed gratitude for providing Hindi

teacher from August 2017 arrd reiterated their request for twoEnglish teachers from India for one year to be posted at the

VII. Cooperation in the field of science and educationT'^ f .i-^ i- +^Taking into account that Turkmenistan and India had

f,K. Cooperatlon ln SecurityBoth sides underscored the importalce of cooperation in the

field of securitlr and agreed to further strengthen this partnershipthrough regular consultations.

Both sides noted importance of agreeing upon the draft ofMemorandum of Understanding between the Govemrnent ofTurkmenistan and the Government of the Republic of India oncooperation in the field of disaster management.

11

National Institute of World t anguagesDovletmammet Azadi in Ashgabat. The Indian side also iniormedabout, and the Turkmen side welcomed, the decision to organizestudy tour of Hindi students from Turkmenistan to India.

X.Next IGC meetingIt was decided that the next meeting of the Commission

would be held in Ashgabat in 20 lg, dates of which would beagreed upon through diplomatic channels.

Done in New Delhi on 14rh August 2Ol7 in two originals,each in Turkmen, English and Russian languages, all texts beingequally authentic.

Co-Chalrpersonfrom the Indian side

Co-Chalrpersonfrom the T\trkEen alde

F,l,-"14Sushma Swaraj Rashid Meredov

Annex I

Delegation of Turkme[lstan

1. R.Meredov Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet ofMinisters of Turkmenistan, Minister ofForeign Affairs(co-chairperson of the Commissionfrom t1le T\rrkmen side)

2. M.Archayev Acting State Minister - Chairmar ofthe State Concern "Turkmengaz"

3. Sh.Meretlivev Acting Chairman of the State Concern"Turkmenhimiia"

4. B.Gylyjov Chairman of the Chamber ofCommerce and Industry ofTurkmenistan

P.Durdyyev Ambassador Extraordinanr andPlenipotentiary of Turkmenistan to theRepublic of India (New Delhi)

6. B.Abdyyeva Deputy Minister of Culture ofTurkmenistan

7. T.Silivev Deputy Minister of Heal.thcare andMedical Industry of Turkmenistan

8. A.Atabayeva Deputy Minister of Education ofT\rrkmenistan

9. Sh.Babanazarov Deputy Minister of Defence ofTurkmenistan

10. Y.Ymamberdivev Deputy Chairman of the Service"Trirkmenhowayiollaq/

I]

t,t

Head of the Department of foreigneconomic relations of the Academv ofSciences of Turkmenistan

S.Shihiev First secretaqf of the Department ofcountries of the Asia-Pacific Region ofthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs ofTurkmenistan (responsible secretarJrof the Commission from the Turkmen

O.Vasov

Annex IIDelegatlon of Indla

Raveesh Kumar

t5

Sushma Swaraj Minister of Externa.l Affairs

Ruchi Ghanashyam Secretary(West), Ministry ofExtemal Affairs

Rashmi Verma Secretary, Ministry of Culture

Ashok Kumar Gupta Secretary (Defence Production),Ministry of Defence

Additional Secrera_ry { FT-CISl.Department of Commerce,Ministry of Commerce andIndustry

Sukhbir Singh Sandhu Additional Secretaqr, Departmentof Higher Education, Ministry ofHuman Resource Development

G.V. Srinivas

Dr. T.V. NagendraPrasad

Joint Secretary (Eurasia),Ministry of External Affairs

Ambassador of India toTtrkmenistan

Sunjay Sudhir Joint Secretar5r (lnternationa_lCooperation), Ministry ofPetroleum and Natural Gas

Sushil Kumar Lohani Joint Secretar5r, Department ofFertil2ers, Ministry of Chemicalsand Fertilizers

Joint Secretar1r(XP) andSpokesperson, Ministry ofExtemal Affairs

1.

2.

L14.

5.

6.

:I'F

l,rl

12. Nagaraj Naidu Joint Secretary(EconomicDiplomacy), Ministry of ExternalAffairs

13. R.K. Maheshwari Advisor, M/o Civil Aviation

t+. Dr. S.K Varshney Scientist 'G' Department ofScience and Technolory

15. Apoorva Srivastava Director, Office of External AffairsMinister

16. Satish Chander Gupta PS to External Affairs Minister

17.

18.

Sipra Ghosh First Secretary/ Interpreter,Embassy of India, Tashkent

Pooja Tillu Under Secretarlr (Eurasia),Ministry of Extemat Affairs

t6

1.1r.21.3

Agenda

pening Remarks

SessionTrade and economic cooperation;Energ,;Connectivity;Agro-industrial complex;

Session (humanitarian links)Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals;Sport and tourism;Science and Education, Information

cluding Remarks

Annex III

and Technical

.4

t7

.1

.2

.3

.4 Culture.